Door controlled mailbox signal



July 5, 1949: H. T. JONES 2,475,093

DOOR CONTROLLED MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed Feb. 24, 1947 [NI/ENTER FatentedJuly 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR CONTROLLED MAILBOX SIGNALHomer T. Jones, rd, Nebr.

Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,213

2 Claims. (Cl. 232-35) The invention relates to improvements in mail boxsignals in which a signal attached to the box notifies the patron thatmail has been desposited in the box; and the objects of the improvementsare, first, to provide a signal that will not in any way whateverinterfere with the mail carriers work or with the mail box as areceptacle for mail; second, a signal that can easily be adjusted toshow laterally from any horizontal direction, and so arranged that thesignal supporting member can easily be extended to support the signalabove obstructions that would interfere with the patron seeing thesignal; and, third, a signal of simple, durable, and inexpensiveconstruction that even a child can operate.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation of the signal attached to a mail box,the dotted lines showing how it appears after the door of the box hasbeen opened and potential energy has turned the signal from edgewise tolateral position. Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of thesupporting catch that holds the weighted arm in suspension until thedoor is opened.

The signal, as illustrated in the present embodiment of this invention,consists of a broad signal I, carried above the mail box 2, by avertical rod 3, which turns in a hanger 4, attached to the rear of saidbox. Clamped to the rod 3 and secured by bolt 5, is a short horizontallyextended crank 6. Pivotally connected to the end of crank 6 is aconnecting rod 1, which makes connection to an extension 8, extendedfrom arm 9, this arm being weighted at its forward end by a weight Ill.Arm 9 turns upon fulcrum II at its rear end and is hung upon asupporting catch 12 at its forward end. Catch I2 is welded to the edgeof the door l3, at any suitable height. In the dotted line illustrationthe rear end of rod 1 has been omitted. This signal I may be made in anysuitable shape or size, that shown in the drawing forming no part of thepresent invention.

It will be seen that by placing the patron's signal at the rear end ofthe mail box, the mail carrier will not confuse it with his signal andthere being no mechanism for the carrier to operate it cannot cause himinconvenience. After closing the mail box door, the patron lifts arm 6and engages it with catch I2.

I am aware that prior to my invention mail box signals have been madeoperating in conjunction with a weight or spring. I therefore do notclaim such a combination broadly; but I claim:

1. The combination with a mail box Which has its front end closed by adoor, of an upright signal supporting member adapted to support and turna signal in a horizontal plane above said box and journaled at its lowerpart in proximity to the rear and vertical corner of said box and havinga relatively short crank mounted horizontally in proximity to saidjournaled part, a relatively short projection extending out sidewaysfrom the edge of said door having a catch extending vertically from itsouter end, an arm extending horizontally alongside said box having itsfore end engaging said catch, a fulcrum mounted on the side and forepart of said box and adapted to carry the rear end of said arm, crankingmeans carried by the rear end of said arm, a rod pivotally connectingthe free end of said crank with the said cranking means, and meanswhereby potential energy actuates said rod when the said catch isdisengaged from said arm.

2. The combination with a mail box which has its front end closed by adoor, of an upright signal supporting member adapted to support and turna signal in a horizontal plane above said box and journaled at its lowerpart in proximity to the rear and vertical corner of said box and havinga relatively short crank mounted horizontally in proximity to saidjournaled part, a relatively short projection extending out sidewaysfrom the edge of said door having a catch extending vertically from itsouter end, an arm extending horizontally alongside said box having itsfore end engaging said catch, a fulcrum mounted on the side and forepart of said box and adapted to carry the rear end of said arm, arelatively short extension extending from the said arm near the saidfulcrum, a weight carried by the said arm near its forward end, a rodpivotally connecting the free end of the said crank with the free end ofthe said extension, and a clamp adapted for adjusting said crank atvarious horizontal positions in relation to said signal.

HOMER T. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenloes are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 677,967 Fenstermacher July 9,1901 1,564,305 Fanders Dec. 8, 1925 1,627,617 Nordin May 10, 19271,628,034 De Mier May 10, 1927

